Jonathan Walden | Brother, Lewis

Jonathan Walden’s obituary states that his parents died when he was young and he converted to the Baptist faith, shortly before moving to Ohio. It gives no other indication to his family.

The earliest records located for Jonathan show that he married Sarah Millikin in Jackson County, Ohio in 1832 (Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993 | ancestry.com) and that he lived in Liberty Township, Jackson County, Ohio with his wife and five children in 1840 (1840 census | ancestry.com).

Records for Lewis Walden

Also living in Liberty Township, is Lewis Walden. He is roughly the same age as Jonathan, with his age recorded in the census in the same age bracket: 40-49. His household appears to contain two family groups. He is living near John Milligan, the brother-in-law of Jonathan Walden.

Age Range	Female	Male
40-49	1	1
30-39	0	1
5-9		2
under 5		1

The similar age bracket and geographical proximity suggests the likelihood that Lewis Walden is the brother of Jonathan.

In 1850, Lewis has 100 acres (US Non Population Schedule) and the farm is valued at $1200. He has two horses, five milk cows, six other cattle, 24 sheep, and ten pigs. He also has a sizable amount of butter and wool. He is living with his wife, Mary A Walden and James McCormic (age 20), who is most likely one of the males listed in the 1840 census. He is listed as a teacher who was born in Ohio. Lewis Walden, like Jonathan, was born in Virginia, supporting the theory that Lewis came with Jonathan from Campbell County, Virginia.

Lewis married Mary McCormic in Scioto County, Ohio, in 1834. This suggests that the 30-39 male in the household was a relative of Mary rather than Lewis, and that James was the son of the relative.

Will of Lewis Walden

Lewis D. Walden died in 1870 and he left a will in which he bequeathed multiple items to his extended family: [the will has two Item 4s, so the numbering is off from the will]

1. Lewis D. McCormick, son of James McCormick, grandson of my wife, received money to aid education
2. To children of James McCormick: James William McCormick (second son), Sarah S McCormick and Mary A. McCormick received money
3. Harriet McClure, wife of John B McClure, and mother of above children (wife of James McCorcmick, dec.) received money
4. Mary A Yerian, wife of Charles F Yerian, and daughter of Charles W McCormick and granddaughter of wife, money and possession of a promissory note.
5. William H Walden, son of my half-brother Robert Walden, dec. money
6. Mary Jones, the daughter of John Jones and Martha Jones, money.
7. Mary J Hawk, granddaughter of my wife & Izord Hawk, youngest child of Elisabeth Work de and daughters of Samuel Hawk, money
8. Mrs. Margaret Day, wife of James R Day, in consideration of kindness to me during my sickness at the house of John Burt, money
9. Brother, Richard Walden, the note, dated 1869, release him from payment of the note.
10. Mrs. Nancy Davis, daughter of half brother Robert Walden, and wife of James Davis, money
11. Nieces, the daughters of my brother Jonathan, dec, to wit Miss Euclid How, wife of Archibald how, Elizabeth Walden of Mo, and Sarah E Walden, money
12. Nephew, Charles W Walden, son of my brother Jonathan, dec. and to Mrs Sarah Walden, his mother, money
13. He has a new tombstone erected with the correct spelling of his name
14. James Tripp made executor.

(Source: Wills (Jackson County, Ohio), 1819-1885; Probate Place: Jackson, Ohio | ancestry)

Review of Census Records for Identified Siblings

The following family for Jonathan can be reconstructed from the will:

Brother	1840 Census	1850 Census	1860 Census
Jonathan	Liberty, Jackson, OH	Lick, Jackson, OH	deceased
Lewis D	Liberty, Jackson OH	Liberty, Jackson OH	Liberty, Jackson OH
Richard	not located	Harrison, Scioto, OH	Harrison, Scioto, OH
Robert	Bloom, Scioto, OH	Lick, Jackson, OH	not located